Breast cancer symptoms can vary from person to person, and some may not experience noticeable signs at all.
It is important to discuss it as today, Sunday, October 13 is the Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day.
The most common symptom is a persistent new lump in the breast or armpit. Other signs include:
- Skin texture changes on the breast, such as a rash, redness, or dimpling, sometimes resembling the texture of an orange peel.
- Swelling in the armpit or near the collarbone, which could indicate the spread of cancer to nearby lymph nodes, key components of the immune system.
- Pain and tenderness, although lumps don’t usually hurt. Some may cause a prickly feeling.
- A flat or indented area on your breast. This could happen because of a tumor you can’t see or feel.
- Breast changes such as a difference in the size, shape, texture, or temperature of your breast.
- Changes in your nipple, like one that: pulls inward, is dimpled, burns, itches or develops sores.
- Unusual nipple discharge. It could be clear, bloody, or another color.
- A marble-like area under your skin that feels different from any other part of either breast.
Early Signs of Breast Cancer
Many individuals may not notice any symptoms initially, and different types of breast cancer can present with varying signs. However, some common early symptoms of breast cancer include:
Breast lumps
A lump is often the first noticeable symptom of breast cancer.
Typically, a lump that is hard with irregular edges is more likely to be cancerous.
However, not all cancerous lumps feel the same. Some may be soft and have rounded edges. It’s important to get any new lump or unusual change checked by a healthcare professional, even if it doesn’t match the common characteristics of cancer.
More commonly, lumps are caused by:
- Cysts, which are collections of fluid that are usually harmless
- Fibroadenomas, which usually happen before menopause and may be caused by hormones that regulate your period. They don’t require treatment and could shrink over time.
- Fibrocystic breasts, which is when your breasts are naturally lumpy. They may be lumpier and more painful right before your period.
- Breast infections. Small sacs of pus (abscesses) often happen after childbirth.
Swelling
Sometimes, people notice swelling before they feel or see a lump. So it’s also important to see your doctor if it happens to you. You might have:
- A thickening in part of your breast
- Swollen lymph nodes under your arm or near your collarbone
Pain
Most breast pain is not related to cancer, but persistent pain, tenderness, or a burning sensation in the breast or nipple could be an early sign of inflammatory breast cancer or Paget’s disease, which are rare forms of breast cancer. If your breast pain is severe or lasts for an extended period, it’s important to see a doctor for further evaluation to rule out any serious conditions.
Metastatic Breast Cancer Symptoms
Without treatment, breast cancer can spread to other parts of your body, including other organs. This is called metastatic, advanced, or secondary breast cancer. Depending on where it is, you may have:
- Bone pain
- Headache
- Changes in brain function
- Trouble breathing
- Belly swelling
- Yellow skin or eyes (jaundice)
- Double vision
- Nausea
Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Symptoms
Breast cancer is called triple-negative if it doesn’t have receptors for the hormones estrogen and progesterone and doesn’t make a lot of a protein called HER2. This kind tends to grow and spread faster than other types, and doctors treat it differently.
Triple-negative tumors make up 10% to 15% of breast cancers. They cause the same symptoms as other common types, such as:
- A lump or swelling
- Pain in your breast or nipple
- Skin that’s dimpled, dry, red, or thickened
- Discharge
- Nipples that turn inward
Male Breast Cancer Symptoms
About 1% of breast cancers happen in men. Some of the symptoms are similar to the signs of breast cancer in women. But because it’s so rare, you may not pay attention to the symptoms until the cancer has grown.
Watch for:
- A lump or thick spot in your breast or armpit
- Changes in the skin of your breast or nipple, such as redness, puckering, scales, or discharge
Inflammatory Breast Cancer Symptoms
Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a rare type that causes symptoms similar to an infection. They include:
- A breast that’s warm, swollen, and red
- Skin that’s dimpled, leathery, or ridged
- A nipple that turns inward
- Unusual nipple discharge
Breast Cancer Recurrence Symptoms
Breast cancer can come back, or recur, long after treatment. It may be in the same breast (local), in the lymph nodes near the original cancer (regional), or in a part of your body that’s farther away (metastatic or distant).
Cancer is most likely to come back in the first 2 years after treatment. After that period, the risk goes down over time.
Your doctor will talk with you about what to watch for. Local symptoms include:
- A new lump in your breast
- Changes in your breast, nipple, or skin
- Lumps on the skin of your chest
- Thickening on or near the scar from surgery to remove a breast (mastectomy)
Mastectomy and surgery to replace a breast (reconstruction) may lead to a buildup of scar tissue or fat cells. These lumps aren’t cancer. But it’s important to let your doctor know about them and watch for changes.
Symptoms of regional recurrence include:
- A lump or swelling under your arm, above your collarbone, or on your chest
- Swelling in your arm
- Pain or numbness in your arm or shoulder
- Constant pain in your chest
- Trouble swallowing
Symptoms of metastatic recurrence depend on what body part is affected. The most common places are your bones, lungs, brain, and liver. You may have:
- Bone pain
- Dry cough
- Loss of appetite and weight loss
- Severe headaches
- Trouble seeing
- Seizures
- Balance problems
- Confusion
Breast cancer symptoms can vary widely from person to person, and often, people may not experience any noticeable symptoms in the early stages. Some common signs include breast lumps, pain, swelling, or changes in skin texture or appearance.
If you observe any unusual changes in your breasts, it’s essential to consult a doctor for proper evaluation and diagnosis. Early detection is key to effective treatment.
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